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MADAM,
IN your last Letter you were pleased to let me know, how Bravely the Lady F. O. lives, both for Rich Clothing, Costly Houshold-furniture, and Great Equipage; truly, for those that have a sufficient Estate to Maintain it, and a Noble Title to Countenance it, 'tis very Com∣mendable and Honourable to live in Grandeur, otherwise it is Prodigal, Vain, Base, and Fool∣ish: Prodigal, to live Beyond their Means or
Wealth; Vain, to make a Fluttering shew with the Wast of their Estate; Base, to Usurp the Grandeur of Noble and Princely Titles; and Foolish, to make Enemies through Envy to their Vanity, to Triumph on them in their Poverty, which Poverty must of Necessity fol∣low their Unnecessary Wast, if they have not a Staple-stock, so that they of Necessity must Break and become Bankrupts, in which Condi∣tion they will be Despised, and so much the more as they were Envyed for their Vain Bra∣very, and Hated for their Base Usurped Gran∣deur, the more they are Scorned in their Pover∣ty, and Laugh'd at in their Misery. Indeed, it is a Ridiculous Sight to see any live Above their Wealth or Dignity; 'tis like mercenary Stage-players, that Act the parts of Princes, but none of the Spectators give them the Respect and Honour due to Great Princes, knowing they are but Poor Players and Mean Persons; but true Noble Persons indeed, as they will not Quit any thing that belongs to their Dignities, so they will not Usurp any thing that belongs not to their Titles, and when such Persons chance to fall into Misery, yet they fall not into Scorn, but Pity and Compassion will wait upon them, or meet them with Respect; but in all Condi∣tions, Degrees, and Dignities, it is better to Live Wisely than Bravely, and to Live Wise∣ly, is, to Spend Moderately, to Live Plentiful∣ly, Easily, Peaceably, Pleasantly, and so Hap∣pily; to Spend Moderately, is, to keep within
the Bounds of their Estate, not to go beyond the Limits of their Comings in; to Live Plen∣tifully, is, to spend nothing Vainly, nor to spare nothing Useful, or Proper for their Quality; to Live Peaceably, is, to live Privately, free from troublesome Company, as Idle Visitors, and Trencher-Guests, who Censure every Word or Act to the VVorst Intent and Sense, and Slander every one that is Better than them∣selves; to Live Easily, is, to have their Family in Order and Obedience, and all their Affairs to be done Methodically; to Live Pleasantly, is, to have such Delights as the Estate will Afford them, and such Pastimes as are Agreeable to their Humours, and the Company of Sociable and Conversable Friends; also to Banish all Perturbed Passions, and Extravagant Appetites, all which is to Live Wisely, as your Ladiship doth; But whether the Lady F. O. Live Wise∣ly, I will leave to your Ladiships Judgment, who dwells Near her, and I at a Greater Distance, although not from your Ladiship, for my Thoughts and Affections are alwayes with you, so as you are Attended and VVaited on by the Soul of,
Madam,
Your faithful Friend and humble Servant.